<description>Dr Steven Duhig is Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Griffith University and an ASCA Elite L3 Elite Strength and Conditioning Coach who has demonstrated significant expertise in both academia and practical aspects of sports performance and coaching. His career encompasses recent roles as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Burleigh Bears Rugby League Club, Strength Coach with Michael Bohl's swimming squad, and Rugby 7s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Griffith Sports College. His experience extends to roles including Physical Preparation Coach and Academy High Performance Manager for the Gold Coast Suns Football Club, Rehabilitation Coach for the AFLQ State Team, and Sports Science PhD scholar affiliated with Gold Coast Suns. Previous positions also include Athletic Development Coordinator at Morningside Panthers Football Club and Powerlifting Coach, leading a novice powerlifter to three Australian records.  Dr. Duhig's current research involves exploring the connections between muscle architecture and injury risk, as well as performance enhancement and injury prevention in various sports, including Australian rules football, soccer, rugby league, swimming, track and field, and surfing. The overarching goal of Dr. Duhig is to provide practical applications in the field of sport and exercise that directly improves practice and athlete outcomes.

QUOTES
“Sleds, particularly in the football codes, are so powerful as a training tool”
“The more weight on the sled, the less distance you’ll sprint”
“I think we first have to run fairly well without resistance before we start adding in sleds”
“I think another great exercise for hamstring besides the Nordic is the seated leg curl, especially when consider specificity and transference”
“When starting to use sleds with athletes, I always go light to start, around 15-20% bodyweight”
“The two, five and ten meter distances are so important for the court based sports with sled sprinting”

SHOWNOTES
1)	Steve’s journey in strength and conditioning from Cert III qualifications all the way through to a PhD
2)	The use of sleds for sports and the beneficial effects on acceleration
3)	The key findings from the research on resisted sprinting and the differences between pulling a sled at waist or shoulders and pushing a sled 
4)	Using a contrast sled loading system with athletes prescribed from percentage of bodyweight or velocity decrement 
5)	The optimal distances when using sleds at different loads
6)	Practical considerations and basic strength requirements to be aware of before using sleds with athletes 
7)	How Steve implements sled work into existing rugby league speed/gym sessions and technical training
8)	The ACL bracing protocol and the prerequisites for successful outcomes
9)	Steve’s latest research on tendon health in hamstrings and shoulders
 
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Tony Shields
Josh Secomb</description>

Dr Steven Duhig is Senior Lecturer and Researcher…

Dr Steven Duhig is Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Griffith University and an ASCA Elite L3 Elite Strength and Conditioning Coach who has demonstrated significant expertise in both academia and practical aspects of sports performance and coaching. His career encompasses recent roles as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Burleigh Bears Rugby League Club, Strength Coach with Michael Bohl's swimming squad, and Rugby 7s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Griffith Sports College. His experience extends to roles including Physical Preparation Coach and Academy High Performance Manager for the Gold Coast Suns Football Club, Rehabilitation Coach for the AFLQ State Team, and Sports Science PhD scholar affiliated with Gold Coast Suns. Previous positions also include Athletic Development Coordinator at Morningside Panthers Football Club and Powerlifting Coach, leading a novice powerlifter to three Australian records.  Dr. Duhig's current research involves exploring the connections between muscle architecture and injury risk, as well as performance enhancement and injury prevention in various sports, including Australian rules football, soccer, rugby league, swimming, track and field, and surfing. The overarching goal of Dr. Duhig is to provide practical applications in the field of sport and exercise that directly improves practice and athlete outcomes.

QUOTES
“Sleds, particularly in the football codes, are so powerful as a training tool”
“The more weight on the sled, the less distance you’ll sprint”
“I think we first have to run fairly well without resistance before we start adding in sleds”
“I think another great exercise for hamstring besides the Nordic is the seated leg curl, especially when consider specificity and transference”
“When starting to use sleds with athletes, I always go light to start, around 15-20% bodyweight”
“The two, five and ten meter distances are so important for the court based sports with sled sprinting”

SHOWNOTES
1)	Steve’s journey in strength and conditioning from Cert III qualifications all the way through to a PhD
2)	The use of sleds for sports and the beneficial effects on acceleration
3)	The key findings from the research on resisted sprinting and the differences between pulling a sled at waist or shoulders and pushing a sled 
4)	Using a contrast sled loading system with athletes prescribed from percentage of bodyweight or velocity decrement 
5)	The optimal distances when using sleds at different loads
6)	Practical considerations and basic strength requirements to be aware of before using sleds with athletes 
7)	How Steve implements sled work into existing rugby league speed/gym sessions and technical training
8)	The ACL bracing protocol and the prerequisites for successful outcomes
9)	Steve’s latest research on tendon health in hamstrings and shoulders
 
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Tony Shields
Josh Secomb

ASCA Podcast #115 - Dr. Steven Duhig

<description>Today, we're diving into the world of youth athletic development with Brad Lawton, a passionate strength and conditioning coach with a rich background in exercise science. Starting his career as a personal trainer, Brad discovered his love for strength and conditioning, working with various clubs such as Bond University, Griffith Rugby Sevens, and the West Wales Raiders in Wales. He pursued further education with a master’s degree in strength and conditioning, which propelled him into a full-time career focused on youth athletic development. Currently, Brad extensive experience sees him working as a strength and conditioning coach to many youth athletes. Join us as Brad shares his journey, insights, and the innovative approaches he employs to enhance youth training programs.

Highlights:

Career Beginnings and Development.
Educational Background.
Experience with Youth Athletic Development.
Current Role and Responsibilities.
Program Structure and Philosophy.
Challenges and Solutions.
Importance of Facility Rules and Expectations.
Engaging Students.
Special Programs and Achievements.
Advice for Aspiring Coaches.

Learn More about our Official Equipment, Flooring and Podcast Partner AlphaFit:

https://www.alphafit.com.au/asca</description>

Today, we're diving into the world of youth athle…

Today, we're diving into the world of youth athletic development with Brad Lawton, a passionate strength and conditioning coach with a rich background in exercise science. Starting his career as a personal trainer, Brad discovered his love for strength and conditioning, working with various clubs such as Bond University, Griffith Rugby Sevens, and the West Wales Raiders in Wales. He pursued further education with a master’s degree in strength and conditioning, which propelled him into a full-time career focused on youth athletic development. Currently, Brad extensive experience sees him working as a strength and conditioning coach to many youth athletes. Join us as Brad shares his journey, insights, and the innovative approaches he employs to enhance youth training programs.

Highlights:

Career Beginnings and Development.
Educational Background.
Experience with Youth Athletic Development.
Current Role and Responsibilities.
Program Structure and Philosophy.
Challenges and Solutions.
Importance of Facility Rules and Expectations.
Engaging Students.
Special Programs and Achievements.
Advice for Aspiring Coaches.

Learn More about our Official Equipment, Flooring and Podcast Partner AlphaFit:

https://www.alphafit.com.au/asca

ASCA High School & Youth Podcast 2408 - Parnham + Lawton

<description>Shane Lehane currently works as Athletic Performance Coach for the Sydney Swans Football Club in the AFL. Prior to this Shane worked in professional Rugby Union for 12 years in both Europe and Australia with Leicester Tigers, Melbourne Rebels, and the Wallabies. Shane graduated from Loughbough University  in Sport &amp; Exercise Science and is currently a PhD candidate at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Shane’s studies are focused on Decision Making and the application of Systems Thinking for Strength &amp; Conditioning Practitioners in the Team sport setting. Shane is also an accredited Elite Level 3 Coach with the ASCA.

QUOTES
“I definitely caused more problems than I solved by taking the performance model from Leicester straight to the Rebels”
“Rather than being solely a S&amp;C coach tasked with manipulating physical variables, I see our role as being an assistant coach with job of managing the physical dimension within context of team environment”
“What differentiates practitioners is the understanding of the context of the environment they are working in”
“It is ok to embrace something that is less objectifiable and be comfortable in the fact that this physical quality will transfer across to the sport”
“Coordinative exercises and drills are a bridge between traditional strength training and a technical aspect of the sport”

SHOWNOTES
1)	Shane’s non-traditional start to a S&amp;C career in the football codes
2)	The role of the S&amp;C coach in modern team sport setting and “well-intentioned reductionism”
3)	Optimizing versus maximizing physical qualities in team sport athletes and how that fits with tactical and technical aspects of the game
4)	The factors that positively and negatively impact team sport performance from a S&amp;C perspective and the point of diminishing returns on physical traits
5)	The balance between subjective and objective information with coaching vision and feedback for different players
6)	Reflective practice, its role in other health sciences and importance for S&amp;C coaches
7)	Coordinative exercises and drills, dynamic correspondence, transfer and Frans Bosch 
8)	The different characteristics between rugby union vs AFL athletes and systems thinking

PEOPLE MENTIONED
Bryce Kavanagh
John Pyror
Lachlan James
Fergus Connolly
Russell Ackoff
Dan Howells</description>

Shane Lehane currently works as Athletic Performa…

Shane Lehane currently works as Athletic Performance Coach for the Sydney Swans Football Club in the AFL. Prior to this Shane worked in professional Rugby Union for 12 years in both Europe and Australia with Leicester Tigers, Melbourne Rebels, and the Wallabies. Shane graduated from Loughbough University  in Sport & Exercise Science and is currently a PhD candidate at La Trobe University, Melbourne. Shane’s studies are focused on Decision Making and the application of Systems Thinking for Strength & Conditioning Practitioners in the Team sport setting. Shane is also an accredited Elite Level 3 Coach with the ASCA.

QUOTES
“I definitely caused more problems than I solved by taking the performance model from Leicester straight to the Rebels”
“Rather than being solely a S&C coach tasked with manipulating physical variables, I see our role as being an assistant coach with job of managing the physical dimension within context of team environment”
“What differentiates practitioners is the understanding of the context of the environment they are working in”
“It is ok to embrace something that is less objectifiable and be comfortable in the fact that this physical quality will transfer across to the sport”
“Coordinative exercises and drills are a bridge between traditional strength training and a technical aspect of the sport”

SHOWNOTES
1)	Shane’s non-traditional start to a S&C career in the football codes
2)	The role of the S&C coach in modern team sport setting and “well-intentioned reductionism”
3)	Optimizing versus maximizing physical qualities in team sport athletes and how that fits with tactical and technical aspects of the game
4)	The factors that positively and negatively impact team sport performance from a S&C perspective and the point of diminishing returns on physical traits
5)	The balance between subjective and objective information with coaching vision and feedback for different players
6)	Reflective practice, its role in other health sciences and importance for S&C coaches
7)	Coordinative exercises and drills, dynamic correspondence, transfer and Frans Bosch 
8)	The different characteristics between rugby union vs AFL athletes and systems thinking

PEOPLE MENTIONED
Bryce Kavanagh
John Pyror
Lachlan James
Fergus Connolly
Russell Ackoff
Dan Howells

ASCA Podcast #114 - Shane Lehane

<description>In this episode of the ASCA High School and Youth Podcast, the journey of professional surfer Sophie McCulloch is highlighted, showcasing her triumph in the 2022 Challenger Series and subsequent injury setback, which she overcame to return to the World Surf League in 2024.
The episode features an in-depth interview with her coach, Kerry Keightley, a renowned ASCA Accredited strength and conditioning expert, who shares his long-term athlete development strategies, emphasising individual needs analysis, evidence-based training, injury prevention, and holistic approaches like breathwork. 

Kerry also discusses the importance of building empathetic, respectful relationships with adolescent athletes, fostering their emotional and cognitive development alongside physical training, and the value of patience and community in coaching.</description>

In this episode of the ASCA High School and Youth…

In this episode of the ASCA High School and Youth Podcast, the journey of professional surfer Sophie McCulloch is highlighted, showcasing her triumph in the 2022 Challenger Series and subsequent injury setback, which she overcame to return to the World Surf League in 2024.
The episode features an in-depth interview with her coach, Kerry Keightley, a renowned ASCA Accredited strength and conditioning expert, who shares his long-term athlete development strategies, emphasising individual needs analysis, evidence-based training, injury prevention, and holistic approaches like breathwork. 

Kerry also discusses the importance of building empathetic, respectful relationships with adolescent athletes, fostering their emotional and cognitive development alongside physical training, and the value of patience and community in coaching.

ASCA High School & Youth Podcast 2407 - Pyke + Keightley

<description>Simon Harries is an accomplished performance coach, holding a PhD in Human Physiology from The University of Newcastle and accredited as an ASCA Elite L3 S&amp;C coach. He currently serves as the Head of Strength &amp; Conditioning at the NSW Institute of Sport, where he leads a team of Strength &amp; Conditioning coaches to develop and deliver world-class performance support to Olympic sport athletes. With over 15 years’ experience in high performance sport across strength &amp; conditioning, rehabilitation and sports science positions, Simon has coached elite athletes and teams across multiple sports, including AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Rugby Sevens, Water polo, and a range of individual event sports. 

QUOTES
“Depending on your context, different rehabilitation models will suit and be more applicable than one or another”
“The roles in rehab are dependent on the people in each discipline, not necessarily what disciplines are involved”
“The main friction point in any working relationship is who is prescribing, who is coaching it and who makes the changes if they need to be made so to establish that at the onset helps a lot.”
“Rehab drivers are often the unsaid reasons why certain decision are made in rehab”
“Obviously when people talk about week-to-week change and acute to chronic ratios, that almost goes out the window in early parts of rehab otherwise the athlete would come back in 3 years’ time.”

SHOWNOTES
1)	How Simon’s career has progressed from PE teaching to the head of S&amp;C at NSWIS
2)	The emerging role of a rehabilitation strength &amp; conditioning coach
3)	Using the RACI model (responsible, accountable, consulted, informed) to get all staff involved in a rehabilitation of an athlete on the same page
4)	Examples of KPIs across different stages in rehabilitation
5)	The four rehab drivers: load, performance, medical and logistics
6)	End-stage rehab KPIs and volume benchmarks for running based field sports
7)	Shared decision making and communication with coaches
8)	Different rehab models and their suitability in different environments
9)	The importance of biomechanics for S&amp;C coaches

PEOPLE MENTIONED
Tim Rogers
Dan Cleather</description>

Simon Harries is an accomplished performance coac…

Simon Harries is an accomplished performance coach, holding a PhD in Human Physiology from The University of Newcastle and accredited as an ASCA Elite L3 S&C coach. He currently serves as the Head of Strength & Conditioning at the NSW Institute of Sport, where he leads a team of Strength & Conditioning coaches to develop and deliver world-class performance support to Olympic sport athletes. With over 15 years’ experience in high performance sport across strength & conditioning, rehabilitation and sports science positions, Simon has coached elite athletes and teams across multiple sports, including AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Rugby Sevens, Water polo, and a range of individual event sports. 

QUOTES
“Depending on your context, different rehabilitation models will suit and be more applicable than one or another”
“The roles in rehab are dependent on the people in each discipline, not necessarily what disciplines are involved”
“The main friction point in any working relationship is who is prescribing, who is coaching it and who makes the changes if they need to be made so to establish that at the onset helps a lot.”
“Rehab drivers are often the unsaid reasons why certain decision are made in rehab”
“Obviously when people talk about week-to-week change and acute to chronic ratios, that almost goes out the window in early parts of rehab otherwise the athlete would come back in 3 years’ time.”

SHOWNOTES
1)	How Simon’s career has progressed from PE teaching to the head of S&C at NSWIS
2)	The emerging role of a rehabilitation strength & conditioning coach
3)	Using the RACI model (responsible, accountable, consulted, informed) to get all staff involved in a rehabilitation of an athlete on the same page
4)	Examples of KPIs across different stages in rehabilitation
5)	The four rehab drivers: load, performance, medical and logistics
6)	End-stage rehab KPIs and volume benchmarks for running based field sports
7)	Shared decision making and communication with coaches
8)	Different rehab models and their suitability in different environments
9)	The importance of biomechanics for S&C coaches

PEOPLE MENTIONED
Tim Rogers
Dan Cleather

ASCA Podcast #113 - Dr. Simon Harries

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